To Apply

Step 1 - Prepare Materials

Application form: Complete the application form. If you are applying for a Postdoctoral Fellowship or a Dissertation Fellowship, you may ask to have your application considered for a short-term research fellowship in the event that your primary application is not accepted.

Essay: Prepare an application essay of no more than 1,500 words. Include a concise overview of the project. Address the following questions:

What ideas, questions, or problems guide your project?

What is distinctive about your project? How does it complement, expand, or challenge prior study in the field? Please be specific about prior scholarship that informs your work.

What work do you plan to undertake at Winterthur? Why is a residence fellowship at Winterthur necessary for successful completion of your project?

Bibliography: Based on your searches of Wintercat (our online library catalogue), prepare a two-page bibliography of primary sources you plan to use at Winterthur. If you plan to use objects from the museum collection in your research, please provide a brief listing. Access the online digital museum collection databse here.

Vita: Provide a copy of your current vita.

References: Obtain two recent letters of reference addressing your previous scholarly record, your current project, and your ability to work with a collegial group. If you are a graduate student, one of these letters must come from your dissertation advisor.

Step 2 - Submit Your Materials

Reference letters: Please instruct your reference writers to e-mail their letters to researchapplication@winterthur.org. Ask that they put your last name and the word "reference" in the subject line. We prefer PDF documents. Word documents are also acceptable.

Although emailed copies are preferred, mailed copies are also acceptable. Mailed copies must contain six copies of the completed application package (application form, essay, bibliography, and vita). Mailed letters of recommendation (one copy only) also should be sent directly to this address:

The deadline for all research fellowship applications is January 15. Notice of acceptance is sent by mid-April.

"My experience at Winterthur exceeded all my expectations. The program fosters a rare combination of rigorous scholarly investigation within a friendly and supportive environment. I was particularly surprised by the extent to which the fellowship program staff and librarians went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and to support our research." -Amy C. Wallace, Ph.D. Candidate, University of Toronto, 2015-2016 Fellow